Are you OKAY with being YOURSELF?

It is time for girl talk and the topic is: Are you okay with being you? I am reading a book about how to live a kick ass life and it got me thinking. One thing in particular is how people view or question me about how  i choose to wear my hair.I grew up with a mother who was a nurse and cosmetologist, she has always been very versatile with her hair. She would have short hair one minute and long hair the next, it may be black today and blonde tomorrow. She always expressed to me that hair was an accessory and that it is ok to change it as much as you like.Currently I cut off my hair and I am rocking the cutest short cut. Yes, I am still natural, you don't have to perm your hair just because you cut it short. This photo is of a style I got a few weeks ago.

 This weekend I got some length cut off because it was to long and very hard to maintain. Being short is nothing new to me, when I went off to college many years ago I cut all of my hair off and wore it short for roughly 4 years. I went natural and grew my hair out and recently cut it because I wanted something new and fresh. I got criticized for cutting my hair because I had been growing it out and people could not understand why I would want to cut it off. Honestly, I have missed my hair short I just didn't cut it because of the fear of cutting it and missing it. To tell you the truth I MISS MY LONG HAIR!!! I look at the pic below and think I want my long hair back.

In reality I don't miss my natural hair being long I just miss wearing a good weave. And you know what I realized about myself.... stop living or giving a shit what anyone thinks about how you should look or how I should wear my hair. The great thing about cutting my hair is when I feel like wearing it short I can and when I feel like wearing it long I can. I have the best of both worlds and I refuse to apologize for it. Yes, I will be getting a weave this winter and yes I will be wearing it short because I have the ability to do so and I look great either way. I learned that I am a person who gets bored easily and I need the ability to be versatile and have different looks. I have always been that way and I always will be!

Confidence- is about believing in yourself 

Self esteem- is about believing in your worth

Ladies, it is time that we start having a positive self esteem and confidence towards ourselves. It is time to be comfortable in the skin you are in and accept the things that make you, you! I know it can sometimes be easier said than done. We are forever evolving, constantly working on being a better person and loving who you are wholeheartedly. I am learning to be ok with Me. It is actually liberating to be exactly who you want and loving it. Don't let society, family or friends depict who you are or what makes you, you. 

Be the best you, you know how to be and then some. I plan on being madly in love with myself, only I know how to love me exactly how I need to be loved.It is time to look to myself for that love and not expect to receive it from anyone else. 

So are you ok with being yourself? Do you struggle with doing what you love because of what others say? 

Lets chat leave your comments in the comment section below!

Until next time folks,

Yes I'm Almost 30.....And?

It has been a while since my last post but I am back and ready for some girl talk. I want this blog to be a place where women can come read good material and have the chance to interact with others. I want this blog to be interactive I want you to feel comfortable enough to comment and lets chat about whats going on in life. It's all about girl talk....men you are more than welcome to chime in. I will be posting every Sunday and I look forward to having great conversations with you all!

Today's topic is all about Yes people I am closing in on thirty...and I am freaking out just a little.lol  OMG I look at myself in the mirror and realize Courtney where in the hell did the time go? You are almost 30 freaking years old! I look around and think geeesh time really waits for no man, my cousins whom I witnessed being born are grown and or in high school, everyone around me is either getting married or having children and I get asked the same few questions every time I go to church or see people I haven't seen in a while. Not to mention it is time for my 10 year high school class reunion...STFU! As for these three haunting questions that I am sure all of the women my age get asked (1) Are you married? (2) Do you have children? (3) What are you waiting for? Ladies, I'm sure you are rolling your eyes as you read this thinking ugh i get those questions all the time. My question to you is...How do you answer them? Here are my responses:

(1) Are you married? Me- No, Why not do you have a boyfriend? Me- Yes, What is wrong with your boyfriend? Me- Hell i don't know I'm wondering the same thing as you. You probably could get a better answer if you ask him!

(2) Do you have any children? Me- No fortunately I don't. I am not mentally or physically ready to me someones mother right now! 

(3)What are you waiting for? Me- waiting on Mr. Right to come sweep me off my feet and give the life of my dreams like they say in the fairy tales. 

Listen, I am not trying to be a jerk with the answers that I gave but people act as if we are not already thinking about the monumental milestones that are suppose to be happening in our lives and that are happening in the lives of ones around us. We don't need constant reminders that we are complete failures for not being married or have children by now. lol just kidding about be failures of course.

Personally I am in a serious committed relationship and I could definitely see marriage in the future. If he doesn't realize that he has an amazing woman in his life that he wants to commit his life to then it is his loss not mine. We should not be the ones hounded because were not married, how about hound these men and ask whats wrong with them and why they haven't done the honorable things expected of them. I am old school I will be someones wife and the mother of their children and in that order.

Yes I am knocking on thirty's door but trust me I am focused and doing exactly what I should be doing: I am working on myself as a woman and being comfortable in the skin I'm in. I'm out here trying to live my dreams, be successful, buy some bad ass shoes, wear super chic clothes and get some damn abs!!!

Ladies don't let others expectations for your life get you discouraged that you are not on the right path. I refuse to allow traditional expectations mold my lifestyle. When the right man is smart enough the time will happen and he will be one lucky son of a .....! Until then I'm content with pursuing the American Dream!

Don't mind me just being SOOOOOOO UN-BOTHERED!!! LOL

Ladies are you feeling the heat? Have you started getting these questions everywhere you go?  How do you respond? Or how did you respond before these things happened to you?

Lets chat! Leave comments in the comment section below.

The Time is Near and I want to simply say THANK YOU!!!

December 12, 2013 is quickly approaching and I must say that I have been waiting a long time for this day to arrive. as I am typing I am already overwhelmed with emotion so I know tears will flow as I am writing this. On the 12th of December I will be graduating from the Art Institute of Charlotte with my Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Marketing & Management!

 

I want to share my testimony because I feel a lot of people have been here and succeeded and others have failed but sharing this will hopefully shed light on anyone who needs that inspiration. As a wide eyes 18yr old I went off to college with the fairy tale of one day becoming a doctor, lawyer, or Indian chief.  Not to say those are not attainable careers but they are the traditional careers that everyone automatically thinks of. Ok,ok maybe not the Indian chief but you get my point. I so wanted to do things the "Traditional Way" and that way of thinking only led me to years of confusion, frustration and wasted time. I fought with myself on what I wanted to do with my life which caused me to jump back and forth between degrees which was getting me absolutely no where. I was letting the ideals of others trap me in my own personal jail with no way of becoming free. Not until I woke up and decided that Courtney had to live for Courtney!

 

At the age of 25 I decided that I was going to take the plunge and go to school for what I was passionate about. That one decision has completely changed my entire life. It was a huge sacrifice and I can tell you that blood sweat and tears have been a constant thru my journey. I had many mixed emotions during my personal walk...was I good enough, do I have what it takes, can I survive and finish the course, will I be able to get a job? Yes, I am woman enough to admit that I have insecurities that I battle with and it doesn't mean that I am not confident it means that I AM HUMAN! Shit I have reservations about myself just like the next person! Coming into a creative field where everyone is driven off of creativity, innovation and individuality is not necessarily the easiest career to cope with. I am getting better at it more and more each day and realizing and accepting that you can only be the best version of you. That is all that is required or expected!

 

With the constant presentations, projects, work load I have made it to the finish line. I have to first thank my God for making the beautiful, talented, creative, loving, sincere woman I have become, and for designing such a beautiful destiny and purpose for my life. I could not be happier for what he has done and what he is going to do! I would like to thank my best friend Connie who has been there for the entire emotional rollercoaster I call my life. Thru the ups and downs, bitching and moaning, excitement and tears she has always been my rock and has always been there to encourage me to go just a little bit further. To the most brave, courageous, loving, kind mother any kid could ask for, you have truly been heaven sent. Not only did I get all of my creativity and innovation from you I also got your endless support, your approval, your ability to let me know that I was always good enough and the fact that you have been and will forever be my best friend that I can share my most vulnerable moments with. You are my #1 fan and God blessed me beyond measure by making you my mother...Thanks mama.

 

The tears are flowing I'm an emotional wreck these days but it has been one of those journeys that you have to express to the ones that took it with you that you couldn't have done it without them.

 

To my Hunni....where do I start.(tears flowing uncontrollably) MAN I just thank you for loving me unconditionally thru all the bullshit. You have been so gentle and kind loving and supporting me no matter how small the problem or how big the dilemma. You have shown me what true love is and you have loved me selflessly even when I could only love myself. You have sacrificed and waited patiently and I will always love you for that. To my love, Thanks! 

 

To my Reebs...my shrimp dumpling you have been there with me thru think and thin, from watching the chaps to helping with projects, to being one of the main people to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself. As family you already had a special place in my heart but during this journey you won an even larger part of my heart that can never be filled by anyone but you. We have had so many great times together and you are the only one I can be my goofy self with. You are my shrimp dumpling, you are my ride or die! Reebs....we ride together, we die together...Bad Boys For Life!!!

 

To all my other friends and family you are all very much appreciated and you all helped in your very own way and I will always be grateful for your continued support!!!

 

My journey hasn't been easy but it has definitely been worth it. My trials have made me the woman that I am and I will always look back at these moments proudly because I was able to get out of my own way!

 

Lord I Thank You!!!



My Summer Bucket list!

Hello beautiful People,

I am finally on break from school for three weeks, yes I know three weeks is not long enough for a summer vacation. I was talking to my best friend and she told me that she had made a small bucket list and was completing it each week. I thought it was an awesome idea and I have decided to do a summer series of my bucket list. Below are the things that I want to accomplish during the summer check it out below:

 

 

This list is a few of the thing I want to accomplish during the summer. I will be in school over the summer so I had to make realistic goals that I would be able to accomplish while pretty much having limited leisure time. I am super excited and I can't wait to get started. I will be sharing each experience with you guys. I wanted to do this because it is something about achieving goals that is so liberating.

 

What are you guys interested in doing this summer? Have you set goals that you want to accomplish? And not just professional goals but goals that bring you joy and achievement in other ways. I am doing this because it is something that will bring me happiness and joy in my life as an individual this is in no relation to my professional goals. This list is for my personal growth and embracing things that are needed for me to grow as a human being.

 

I want to be successful in life and that equates professionally, mentally, physically and emotionally. You have to challenge all of these in order to be complete.

 

Challenge yourself to things that make you happy, set goals and complete them. You will be surprised on how renewed you feel.

 

Until next time continue living life with Passion and Purpose.

 

 

~Courtney



What would you do without your BESTFRIEND?

This post is about one of the most amazing women in my life, she is none other than my bestie Connie. She is no longer just a friend she is my family, my sister, my most trusted confidant. We have been inseparable since I met her back in 2004 during our freshman year at North Carolina Central University on the 9th floor of Eagleson Hall.

Wow it seems so long ago, I'm getting old! lol The first few times we spent together I knew this woman would be in my life forever and now May 2013 we are thick as thieves. Have we had our ups and downs...of course that is in any friendship but I can tell you that it has made us closer than ever before. Check out Thelma & Louise below:

 

Let me tell you guys the definition of a best friend or at least what my best friend is to me! My bestie Connie is my ROCK she is the only person who truly knows me inside and out. She is the first person I talk to in the morning and the last person I talk to before I go to sleep. She is the person I go to when my insecurities are disabling my potential, when my man ain't acting right, when I'm excited, happy or sad. She is my one in a lifetime true Confidant! 

 

I'm pulling a few lines from a movie or two so don't judge me it is the easiest way to show you guys the love I have for this chick. lol  I carry her in my spirit, I pray for her more than I pray for myself! She makes my life complete, she is the ying to my yang, she is the woman who will stand before myself and God when I vow to love a man for the rest of my life, she will be the godmother of my children. She will forever have a large chunk of my heart and the bond that we share can never be broken.

 

On a lighter note we do some silly things to like...add our names in our favorite songs, have the most inappropriate conversations, eat whole Crabs like two grown men, call each other on every commercial break of our favorite shows and I pick on how OCD she is.

 

The moral of this post is that my best friend is my biggest source of inspiration, bravery, courage, love, friendship, happiness and joy. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders always telling me how proud she is and supporting and helping me with any and everything I need. She tells me the truth even when I don't want to hear it or accept it and she loves and accepts me for ME! Now this is what you call a best friend.

 

 

We all want that confidant that  you  were destined by God to spend the rest of your life with. I am so blessed that God blessed me with her, he knew exactly who to send to make that part of my being complete and I am forever grateful for her.

 

My man is also  best friend but there is nothing like being able to have a conversation with a woman that knows exactly how you feel. It is one of the most liberating and refreshing feelings in the world.

 

Embrace..Love...Acknowledge your best friends they are one of life's most precious gifts! 

 

Until next time Continue to live life with passion and purpose!!!

PUT UP OR...SHUT UP!!!

Hello Beautiful People,

It has been a minute and boy have I missed talking to you guys. I have been an emotional wreck over the last few days and I probably wouldn't have been so Bitchy if I would have came here sooner. I have so many random things going on in my head right now so this post will be a rollercoaster ride but stay with me.lol

First things First!!! I will be graduating from the Art Institute of Charlotte in December 2013 and I am as happy as can be! I have waited 3 long years to walk across this stage and I am going to enjoy every  moment of it. It has been an amazing experience, I  was given the chance to live my dream and learn the knowledge that feeds the passion yearning within me. I have had this passionate love affair with fashion for years and now it is finally becoming my career reality. I have so many ideas of ways to make my mark on this earth and graduating will be the biggest milestone to making my dreams come true.

My Fashion and Lifestyle Blog All Things Fashion with CFC is growing and between working on this and school I get very little time to have a life. And let me tell you it SUCKS! I just knew that my life would look like...

Yeah I bet all of you thought your social life would look like a scene out of Sex and the City! My social life is just about non-existent. I have amazing friends and family but I have ambitions and responsibilities as well. I would love to hang out with my loves but my ambitions have taken over my life. Opportunities wait on no one and if I don't work hard to achieve my dreams they will never become my reality. I have a teacher who is somewhat a mentor and she has taught me how valuable time is and how important it is to cease the moment. I have taken that and devoted the way I spend my time and the way I think about allocating my time.

The funny thing is that my friends and family have accepted that my ambition and drive is what makes my life so sweet. I am dedicated to making the things I love the most help me succeed. I am determined to become the woman I have always known I could be. With or without the support of others because the people who believe in me understands, respects and supports the fact that I am doing this to better myself and not to hurt or be malicious by not giving them the time they deserve. I thank you all for your support you have helped me thru some tough times and I appreciate all of my friends and family and I am always there for you...maybe not always physically but in spirit.
I go weeks and even months without talking to friends and family, we are all making a life for ourselves and that's how it gets. The everyday grind confines you but when you do get that phone call or dinner date it is just like old times picking up were we left off. Friendship is such a beautiful thing and I thank each and every one of my friends you are better than all the rest!!!

Gotta tell you guys about my man real quick!!!

Thank God for good men and lets thank him three more times for my good man.lol I know personally that God put this man on earth especially for ME! I couldn't ask for a better partner, best friend, confidant, protector, provider, lover, punching bag, MAN! He has accepted me flaws and all, he deals with my bitching and nagging and he does the simplest things to satisfy my every need. He is so thoughtful and kind and he is my number one fan. How did I get so lucky? God sent one of his toughest warriors to watch over one of his most delicate angels and I will forever be grateful for this blessing. He knows who he is ...Love ya BOO!!!

I've rambled long enough and my eyes are getting heavy. I hope you all enjoy a glimpse into a day in the life of Courtney. Until next time....Live life with Passion and Purpose!!!

~Courtney

MOTHERHOOD...AM I READY?

Sitting in the bed on this dreary Saturday afternoon catching up on a few of my favorite blogs and I came across several posts on motherhood and how being a mother is the best reward life has given.

As I sit here I begin thinking about motherhood...could I really see myself as someone's mom??? Over the years I have always made it very clear that I do not want kids but as I get older my sentiments are changing. Driving to school I may see a mother walking her daughter to school and I think how cute, I would love to experience that and then I stop and think...nah not me I don't want to be a mommy. I have been reading about how amazing and life changing becoming a mother is and my heart feels warm and I get a feeling in the pit of my stomach. I begin to realize that I DO one day want to be rewarded with a precious little angel.

(image from Google)

 

I want to do what God has made us to do...reproduce. How powerful is that gift/blessing? Being able to bring a human being in this world is one of the biggest sacrifices, responsibilities and gifts anyone could ever experience. I want to feel my seed growing inside of me, I want to experience crazy midnight cravings, getting as big as a beach whale while making my husband tell me how beautiful and sexy I am, wearing maternity clothes, being able to be fat and it's ok, crying over any ridiculous thing I encounter, my husband at my disposal, parking in the mothers expecting space, driving my mom crazy and being super bitchy. Yes I have a lot to look forward too, I can't wait!

 

 I want to experience the bond of mother and child, I want to experience the love and survival instinct you get when becoming a mother, I want to watch my child grow and experience life, I want to teach them life lessons, send them to their grandmas house, ground them, and do all the things my mom did with me. I have seen mothers speak of motherhood and they glow when describing the unconditional love and much rewarding sacrifice from becoming MOM.

 

I mean look at the angel in the picture...that look alone makes you melt and want to cuddle with her all day long.lol

 

Am I saying that I am ready to be a mother right now...HELL NO! What I am saying is that one day I will become the wife of the man of my dreams and we will create the most precious and loved human being. I will love them forever, I will love them for always! I will be the best mom with God and Prozac's help. (just kidding).  Creating an extension of me will be my biggest and most rewarding accomplishment! Loving and reproducing is what comes most natural to us and I one day will be able to hear a little voice calling me mommy and it will forever be that I will always be yours and you will always be mine!!!

 

Years from now when I'm ready to get married and start a family the question of AM I READY TO BE SOMEONE'S MOMMY will be answered!!!

 

Until then...I'm fine with the occasional babysitting.

 

 

~Courtney